Bring Your Bike Or Bring The Dog, There Is Something For Everyone On The Scenic Maryville/Alcoa Greenway

Maps, Playgrounds, Parking, Food…We Have Everything You Need To Know

One of the best investments the twin cities of Maryville and Alcoa ever made was to connect their biggest parks with a greenway in the 1990s. This scenic trail extends 9 miles between Springbrook Park in Alcoa and Foothills Elementary School in Maryville (near Sandy Springs Park and Pearson Springs Park).

The greenway follows along picturesque Pistol Creek between the cities and also goes right through downtown Maryville and its large Bicentennial Park.

Later years have seen the addition of a spur to Springbrook Corporate Center as well as a pedestrian bridge across Alcoa Highway. You can also ride short spurs east and south from Alcoa, and hopefully one day, even cycle all the way to Knoxville (that’s the grand plan anyway).

Why We Like It

Besides having pretty scenery along Pistol Creek, Maryville/Alcoa Greenway is fairly wide and well maintained. It goes through woods, parks, meadows, and over creeks giving a varied and interesting ride.

The greenway is long enough to make it an all day activity or you can pick short sections for a quicker outing. And we love any greenway that has food we can ride to, as it gives the kids a goal to aim for.

THE GREENWAY IS GREAT FOR FAMILIES

The greenway has only a few street crossings, making it suitable for all families. And because it is mostly flat, it is easy for those pulling a tiny tyke on a trailer or for the newbie on a strider bike. You will see families with kids on bikes on every section of this greenway.

If you have younger kids new to biking, choose a section around one of the big parks with playgrounds so they can play as well as ride a bit. The Alcoa end has Springbrook Park while the Maryville end of the greenway has Sandy Springs Park. Both parks are lots of fun with large playgrounds, open space, bathrooms, plus the greenway going right through them.

If you have older kids that can ride all day, then go for the whole trail from Maryville to Alcoa. It will take you about 60- 90 minutes to bike the entire length at an easy pace without stopping.

Our favorite way to do the greenway is to make a day out of it and stop in downtown Maryville (or in Alcoa) for a meal, coffee and pastries, or just beers and cokes. The kids always enjoy the novelty of riding to a restaurant on a bike!

How Long Is The Maryville-Alcoa Greenway?

• 15 miles total of paved trails (including all the spur trails)

• The main trail is 9 miles from Foothills Elementary/Montgomery Ridge Intermediate School in Maryville to Springbrook Park in Alcoa

• The PetSafe Dog Park near Bicentennial Park in downtown Maryville is just about the halfway point of the greenway. It is listed as Mile Marker O signifying the boundary between the city limits of Alcoa and Maryville. The greenway then goes 5 miles north to the edge of Springbrook Park in Alcoa and 4 miles south to Foothills Elementary/Montgomery Ridge Intermediate School in Maryville.

• You will find handy mile markers every 1/4 mile along the main greenway. They measure from Mile 0 and are labeled south (Maryville side) or north (Alcoa side).

What Are The Best Sections Of The Maryville/Alcoa Greenway?

I like all of it personally. Parts of the greenway pass through wooded areas, some of it is in a meadow, and almost all of it follows along picturesque Pistol Creek. It just depends on what you are looking for.

One of the nice things about the greenway is that it offers a variety of scenery. By the time you are tired of the meadow, you are back in the woods, by a playground, or near a restaurant.

I broke down some of the greenway into sections to highlight parts that I thought might appeal to people not looking to do the whole thing.

Near The Big Parks

The sections through the parks (Sandy Springs Park, Pearson Springs Park, and Springbrook Park) can get crowded on nice weekends, so you definitely have to slow down and look out for darting children and dogs on leashes.

If you have younger kids (especially those on striders), these sections are your best bet as they have great playgrounds, decent bathrooms, nice picnic areas, and easy parking. Bike for a mile or two, then have a picnic or chill out while the tykes exhaust themselves on the playgrounds, basketball courts, or swings. Sandy Springs has 3 separate playgrounds for toddler, intermediate-sized, and big kids. Springbrook has 2 playgrounds, a toddler and bigger kid one.

* Pearson Springs Park doesn’t have a playground, just a lot of open space, and is great for kite flying or kicking a soccer ball. It does have bathrooms, parking, and a nice covered picnic pavilion.

PHOTOS FROM SPRINGBROOK PARK

PHOTOS FROM SANDY SPRINGS PARK

PHOTOS FROM PEARSON SPRINGS PARK

The Longest Section Without Road Crossings

If you want the longest section with the least amount of road crossings, cycling from Bicentennial Park in Maryville out toward Alcoa’s Springbrook Park is your best bet. This is also a good section to bike if you are new to the trail. The trail direction is straightforward, it is relatively flat, and the section is very scenic.

Park at the free Depot Lot across from Bicentennial Park (and the library) in downtown Maryville and head to Alcoa. Or vice versa. You can find easy and free parking at Springbrook Park.

You can do 3-4 miles while only crossing one road (behind Midlands Plaza). Other than that, the greenway goes under all of the roads you can see on the map. You can really start cruising on this quiet part of the greenway all the way to the Alcoa Duck Pond. You will have to cross a quiet road right in front of the duck pond if you want to ride around Springbrook Park, or you can just turn around and head back to Maryville.

Maps courtesy of OpenStreetMaps with my own additions. To enlarge, just click on them.

The Lake At Springbrook Corporate Center And Bridge Over Alcoa Hwy

The spur incorporating the lake at Springbrook Corporate Center is good for smaller kids. They love the loop around the lake because part of it is on a boardwalk (they view it as a mini off-roading adventure). It has a beautiful bridge out to a small island in the middle of the lake which is a great spot for a picnic as well as make believe “stranded on a desert island” games.

Also near the lake, you can bike over the big red pedestrian bridge crossing Alcoa Highway for some good views. The bridge is safe for kids as it has really high sides so even this acrophobic wimp can do it (Meaning me, I am horrible with heights and the kids think its hilarious). Small kids will probably have to walk their bikes up to the top though as the ramp might be a little steep for them.

I also like the trail on the other side of the Alcoa Highway Bridge as it extends a short distance out to Lousiville Road. The greenway goes along Culton Creek and under an old railroad bridge and tends to be very quiet. You’ll hear the sounds of frogs everywhere.

Parking- You can park next to the Alcoa Municipal Building or find a spot at one of the few public parking places next to the US Foods complex.

Are There Lots Of Hills Or Road Crossings On The Greenway?

Not really. The steepest hill is up to Montgomery Ridge Intermediate School at the Maryville end of the greenway plus there is one very short but steep hill in downtown Maryville by Vienna Coffeehouse. These are the main two hills that the kids sometimes have to get off their bikes and push their way up. Elsewhere along the 9 mile greenway, you will find some gentle inclines but nothing too hard. It is no Cades Cove Loop.

There are about 8 road crossings on the entire 9 mile long main greenway trail, not including spurs. Most are located in quieter neighborhoods, are well marked, and have good pedestrian visibility.

However, there are 3 more challenging road crossings near downtown Maryville. They involve busy roads such as Lamar Alexander Parkway and Montvale Road, so you need to keep a more careful eye out. That being said, I find that most drivers are very courteous and I feel comfortable taking the kids.

Map with the busiest road crossings marked them with a red X.

We Don’t Bike, Will We Still Enjoy The Greenway?

The greenway is lots of fun for everyone, walkers included. If you have kids, stick to the parks with playgrounds (Sandy Springs and Springbrook). From Sandy Springs Park, I like to walk to Pearson Springs Park and back-- it is just over a mile each way. Or you can walk to downtown Maryville, it is about 1.5 miles each way.

In Springbrook Park, you can walk a 2 mile loop from the Alcoa Duck Pond up to the north end of Springbrook Park (by Hunt Road) and back.

Or just stroll around Bicentennial Park in downtown Maryville. It is about 1.2 miles along the greenway starting at the Amphitheater (next to the Maryville Courthouse) and ending at Mile Marker 0 at the other end of Bicentennial Park.

What About Dogs?

Dogs are allowed on the greenway as long as they are on a leash. The PetSafe Dog Park is right by Mile Marker 0 in Bicentennial Park so you can let them run there. The dog park has 2 separate fenced in sections, one for small dogs and one for larger dogs. The 2 sides are pretty large and the park is a popular place on weekends.

If you want to go eat afterwards, you can bring your dog to Vienna Coffee’s outdoor patio along the greenway. Or go for drinks and cornhole on TriStar Brewery’s outdoor patio or sit inside if it’s cold out- they don’t mind as long as your dog is well behaved. See the restaurant lists further down the blog for all of your food options.

Are There Bathrooms?

Yes, there are public bathrooms at the big parks--Sandy Springs, Pearson Springs, and Springbrook Park. The park around the Ampitheater next to the Maryville Courthouse has public bathrooms as well. Bicentennial Park around the lake in downtown Maryville does not have public bathrooms, but the Blount County Library is right there.

The public bathrooms are generally much better than you might expect in terms of cleanliness and are usually stocked with toilet paper too. Kudos to the Parks and Rec maintenance people!

Where Can I Park?

* Pro Tip- All of the parking areas mentioned below are free, even in downtown Maryville.

The larger parks have good parking availability- Springbrook Park, Sandy Springs Park, and Pearson Springs Park.

The best parking for Bicentennial Park is the public lot across from the pedestrian bridge to the Blount County Library. It is marked as Depot Lot on maps, mine and Google’s. You can also park next to the Maryville Courthouse at the parking lot adjacent to the Amphitheater in downtown Maryville.

You will find 2 more public lots lots at either end of the lake in Bicentennial Park. There is a tiny lot at the SW end and a larger lot at the NE end. See the map on the next section on Where To Eat in Downtown Maryville- I have parking lots marked with a blue “P”.

Foothills Elementary, Montgomery Ridge Intermediate, or the Alcoa schools near Springbrook Park have free parking on the weekends. They are all on the greenway.

Springbrook Corporate Center has public parking for the greenway next to the Alcoa Municipal Building or adjacent to the US Foods complex. This is best if you want to do the spur trail around the lake there or take the pedestrian bridge over Alcoa Highway.

Are There Snack Stops Along The Greenway?

Downtown Maryville has a good amount of dining options and Alcoa has a few. Between the two, it is easy to find something to suit just about everyone.

WHERE TO EAT IN DOWNTOWN MARYVILLE

*The places listed below are either on the greenway or no more than a block or two from it.

Bluetick Tavern (used to be Barley’s and not much changed except the name)- Great pizza, good kids menu, extensive beer list on tap, and relaxed vibe. Lots of TVs to watch the game. This is a family favorite of ours. Open everyday.

Vienna Coffee House- Amazing coffee in a cozy atmosphere as well as yummy baked goods, soups, and sandwiches. The patio overlooking Pistol Creek is a must do when the weather is nice. Closes at 2pm on Sunday but they serve delicious crepes from 10-2pm before that -- an awesome way to start your day. A hands down favorite place any day of the week with kids and adults alike in our family. On College Street but also directly on the greenway.

Sullivan’s Downtown- Tasty American food in a family run restaurant that has been a Knoxville mainstay for years and more recently in Maryville. The most upscale option of the bunch but still fairly casual for lunch. Open everyday.

Los Amigos- Serving good and inexpensive Mexican food since 1988. Kids meal is only $4.50. Closed Sundays. Next to Bicentennial Park.

Lambert’s Southern Pies and Bakeshop- Sandwiches, baked pies, and dessert pies. Everything homemade that day. Good kids meal for $5. The chicken pot pie is dreamy. Open Tues- Fri 9-4 and some Saturdays- check their Facebook page.

Capitol Theatre Coffee & Ice Cream- Best place to treat the kids after a long bike ride. The milkshakes and espressos are all movie themed, like the “Ectoplasm,” the “Goonie Truffle Shuffle, “ or the “Flux Capacitor.” Lots of movie memorabilia in the shop makes it a fun place even if you just get the less exciting regular scoop of vanilla or plain cup of tea or coffee.

Bookmark Cafe at the Blount County Library- A cute little place serving Vienna Coffee, soup, grilled cheese, and baked goods. Open 9-5 Mon- Fri, 9-2 on Sat, and closed on Sunday. I love the library in general, especially for kids as they have a a large dedicated Kids Library Room with craft tables, a few games to play, and of course, all the books. Easily accessible across a pedestrian bridge from the greenway in Bicentennial Park with bike racks right outside.

Tri-Hop Brewery- Family-friendly place that specializes in beer from Tennessee. Often has a food truck outside and TVs to watch the game. Open Tues- Fri from 4pm- late. Open Sat from 12-12. Closed Sun and Mon.

WHERE TO EAT IN ALCOA

There are only 2 places we regularly stop at and both are just off the greenway on Wright Road near the Little League ballfields. They are about 0.5 miles from the Alcoa Duck Pond. Take the greenway spur from the parking lot of Springbrook Pool east towards the ballfields, then turn left onto Wright Road. Wright Road has sidewalks and a bike lane so it is fine for kids to ride on.

• Hot Stone Pizza- A new place that just opened to replace Scoops and Slices, which was a favorite of the kids finishing up their games on the nearby ball fields. It serves pizza but also some sandwiches and has a Greek flavor. Can’t wait to try the baklava. Open everyday according to their Facebook page.

*Pro Tip- One of the best views of the mountains is from the greenway just behind Alcoa Elementary. It is worth the short detour even if you aren’t heading over to Wright Road for food.

Will The Kids Get To See Any Wildlife?

Yes, you will definitely see ducks and geese at the lake in Maryville’s Bicentennial Park as well as at the Duck Pond in Alcoa. We even saw a beaver dam along Pistol Creek on our last outing, but I bet that won’t last long as it was causing water to overflow onto the greenway. Lots of people have seen deer on the trail but I haven’t been that lucky yet.

Be on the look out for great blue herons along Pistol Creek and wild turkey along the quieter sections of the trail. And if you are good at your bird songs, you will probably be able to identify many more than I can. I just know I hear lots of them on my rides.

Pistol Creek is now winter stocked with rainbow trout (as of Dec 2019) so fisherman are a common sight along the greenway too. You need a state fishing license with a trout stamp if you are over 13. Find more info here.

Future Plans For The Maryville-Alcoa Greenway

The dream is for the Maryville-Alcoa Greenway to eventually link up with Knoxville’s series of greenways to make an awesome all day ride, as well as promote business along the trail and in Maryville, Alcoa, and Knoxville.

The 19 mile Swamp Rabbit Trail in Greenville, SC is a hugely popular bike trail for locals and visitors alike, linking Greenville to nearby Travelers Rest. A Furman University study estimated that 500,000 people rode the trail in 2014, a quarter of whom were tourists. The trail had an economic impact of $7 million on the county per the Greenville News. (“Swamp Rabbit Trail: Healthy Economy and Lifestyle”) I think a Knoxville-Alcoa-Maryville Greenway could have a similar impact.

Work has already begun this year on short greenway extensions from Alcoa and downtown Knoxville. Funding for future sections along Alcoa Highway are secured but no timeline for construction yet. Some of the plans for future phases for the Knox Blount Greenway can be found here.

An even bigger dream is to extend the greenway from Maryville all the way out to Townsend and the Smokies. This proposed 14 mile long greenway has had some intensive planning work done and is now just waiting on money and firm commitments from city, county, state, and federal governments. Easy breezy, right?

I look forward to the day that I can write about the best ways to ride all the way from Knoxville to the Smokies. Until then, I will just have to content myself with exploring the fantastic Maryville-Alcoa Greenway. Bring the family for a quick hour tootling around or plan on adding a picnic and playground stop to make a day out of it. Or finish the day with pizza at Bluetick or ice cream at the Capitol Theatre. Whatever you decide, it will be a fun day for the whole family that gets everybody outside and off their phones. What more could you want?

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